First charges filed in Robert Mueller investigation into Russian interference in US election
THE first charges in the investigation into Russian interference in last year’s US presidential election have reportedly been approved by a grand jury.
THE first charges in the investigation into Russian interference in last year’s US presidential election have reportedly been approved by a grand jury.
CNN reports that the first charges in the investigation being led by Robert Mueller were approved by a grand jury in Washington DC on Friday.
Although the exact nature of the charges is unknown, CNN reported that people charged in relation to the investigation could be taken into custody as early as Monday.
The charges are sealed under orders from a federal judge.
US intelligence agencies concluded in January that Russia interfered in the election to try to help President Donald Trump defeat Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton through a campaign of hacking and releasing embarrassing emails, and disseminating propaganda via social media to discredit her campaign. Special counsel Robert Mueller is investigating whether Trump campaign officials colluded with those Russian efforts.
He is also examining other possible crimes, including obstruction of justice, money-laundering and tax evasion.
Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mueller, declined to comment to Reuters about the CNN report on Friday.
Trump, a Republican who was elected president last November, has denied allegations that his campaign colluded with Russians and condemned investigations into the matter as a witch hunt.
The Kremlin has denied the allegations.
Mueller was appointed by the Justice Department in May to lead the investigation after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, who was leading a federal investigation into possible collusion with Russia.
In July, FBI agents raided the Virginia home of Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort, whose financial and real estate dealings and prior work for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine are being investigated by Mueller’s team.
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